The ONLY info thread you need about BLACKHEART amps.

WARNING HUGE WALL OF TEXT. JUST READ THE BOLD WORDS TO SAVE TIME ALL ARE COPYPASTA FROM OTHER SITES AND SOME I WROTE MY SELF

YOU CAN DISCUSS BLACKHEART AMPS, ASK QUESTIONS( i and other UG members who had played a blackheart will answer them) AND SHARE PIX AND CLIPS OF IT HERE

Brief Info:Blackheart amps are a new line of all-tube guitar amps designed by Pyotr Belov. Designed in the USA and manufactured in China by Loud Technologies (Crate Amps, Ampeg), these amps combine low cost and great sound. MODS, CLIPS, and another Killer Ant Explanation W/Pics

THE AMPS:

The Blackheart Little Giant 5w amp(the most popular amp for its size and price) Blackheart Little Giant combo

This is a truly classic boutique design amplifier delivered in a robust, stylish package. With a switchable pentode/triode selector and 3-band EQ controls, you get the only amp in its class to deliver true tonal range from instantaneous punch to deliciously greasy overdrive and with precise control over output volume.

Every feature of the Blackheart Little Giant Guitar Amplifier Head represents zealous dedication to true quality in tone, looks and ruggedness. Under its sexy exterior you'll find a 16 gauge steel chassis, 1/2 inch corner radiuses and meticulous tolex work insuring years of reliable performance. Powered by an EL84 and voiced through a 12AX7 preamp tube.

The Killer Ant 1w ampThe Killer Ant embraces 100% classic all tube circuitry but, instead of a high power tube output section, it boasts a clever, all tube power block pumping out a mere fraction of 1W. What you get is arena rock tone at bedroom levels. That means no more angry neighbors.

Like its big bro, it features completely overbuilt component specs, from 1W resistors in the signal path to double sided PCB with 2 oz traces. Even its diminutive cabinet, just over palm sized, is built to take a beating with 15 ply (18mm) void-free wood covered expertly in durable black tolex. Final touches include distinctive white piping accents and a salt & pepper cloth covered front baffle. 4, 8 and 16-ohm extension speaker jacks allow you to hook the Ant into virtually any cab you like, including a 4 X 12. However, its counterpart, the Killer Cab, is designed to be its perfect soul mate.

Just like its predecessor and little brother, the Little Giant 5, the BHE Handsome Devil is overbuilt to last with features and components you'd expect on a hand built, much more expensive piece of gear. Both the head and combo feature dual power modes allowing the Gods of Rock to dial in responsiveness and headroom in either 15W or 7W output. Separate Master and Level controls put both awesome power and responsibility in the unwashed hands of mankind. 3 Bands of well-tuned EQ make for nearly infinite voicing. From big fat overdrive to plucky, just-about-to-squeal if you hit me a little harder grease, the Handsome Devil covers classic tube tone with as few knob turns as possible through a well thought out set of features in a tough as a tank package.

As expected, you get the simple elegance and robust component specs that mark Blackheart's designs. From 1W, carbon-film resistors in the signal path to beefy, double sided pcb with 2 oz traces, 16 gauge, precision folded and welded chassis and multi-ply, classically joined cabinetry, Blackheart is as serious about quality as they are about tone.

Specifically voiced for closed back cabinets, the BH412ST features that rugged, we're in this for the long haul build quality that makes every Blackheart piece of gear a lifelong commitment to sounding your best, being your best and pissing off your neighbors. Rather than worry about how cheap we can make something (which to us, is like trying to see how ugly of a date you can get), we send these out your way with metal handles that'll hold their own for years and heavy-duty, metal casters that'll roll while you rock longer than most marriages last these days. These are sexy little boxes that feature meticulous tolex work wrapped around 15 ply (18mm) void-free wood cabs, classically joined and glued.

The Blackheart BH100H Hothead Guitar Amplifier Head takes the basic plug and play attitude of a world-class 100-watt workhorse head and puts just enough thoughtful features on it to be the most flexible amp in its class, not to mention several classes up. Two Power Modes (Class AB and Class A) divisible by Pentode (full power) and Triode (half power) operation put four unique, classic and powerful voices right at your fingertips and you won't need a Ph.D to get amazing tone; whether it's searing rock your face off at full volume riff work or plucky, responsive Class A blues when you're felling all deep and stuff. * Class AB/Pentode: 100W of flesh searing power * Class AB/Triode: 50W, tighter headroom, crisper gain, still hurts * Class A/Pentode: 60W, lots of headroom before overdrive, nice and plucky * Class A/Triode: 30W, less headroom, more responsive to your attackTwo-Channels, Separate EQs: The Hothead has two channels (Loud and F'N Loud), each selectable by a mini toggle on the faceplate or remotely via the included footswitch and each voiced through its own, dedicated EQ section. No more switching from one sound to the same sound in the middle of your jam. Dial in two distinct voices and rock on.

Both channels share a Tube Driven Effects Loop that can be run in series or parallel modes (selectable by mini toggle on the amp's rear panel) and then hard bypassed, doubling as a footswitch-activated boost. Send and Return controls act as expected when in Effects loop Mode but allow you to tweak your Boost Volume when your effects are hard bypassed. Admit it...that's cool.

-Output transformer: The first mod you should do IMO. Tightens up the lows and smooths out the highs. Chords also ring out a little clearer. The Hammond 125ESE is a great, inexpensive OT. I've also read great things about the Doberman 20 watt SE OT.

-Tone stack mod: Replaces the tone stack pots and caps with different values. Gives you a much more usable tone stack. The exact values escape me, google it, the info's out there.

-Replace C2: Use a silver mica cap. Try a 390pf or a 500pf.*pointed out by Jason43*

the KA uses only pre amp tubes (pre amp tubes usually used on other tube amps) as both the preamp and poweramp section.the result is a different taste compared with tube amps that use both conventional preamp and power amp tubes. the tone is shaped by whatever characteristics the preamp tubes have. (for example, on normal tube amps, if you use a JJ 12AT7, you notice the amp sounds a little dark. when i fitted the same tubes into the KA, the amp sounded as dark as hell.)

ummm i already used the seearchbar and i cant find any onlies threadlink please.and i think you're talking about blackSTAR this is blackHEART

No Blackheart, I used to own one and I had one subscribed... but to be honest after looking at the other one yours is much more detailed and looks like a solid thread so, forget the other ones. I'll dig up the links if you want but carry on.

Goddamn Billy Hyde Music, I was going to buy a little giant last week, but the Little giant head wasn't working(bet someone turned it on while not connected to cab). I put a deposit in and they'd order it in straight away from the wholesaler. They said it would in on friday, I've rang each day each of their replies are "Ugh, Im not sure, it will be in tomorrow". Grr, the hell that they care about customer satisfaction. Atleast tell me that its not going to be in at an accurate date. I mean they know how to restock things supposedly. been waiting for more than a week now.

/Rant

I was want to play the goddamn amp already and also open those boxes...

Seriously thinking about getting a Lil' Giant. Very small, bedroom practice space though. Afraid that it will be too loud for that area. Would this work well with an attenuator? If so, which one would be best?

From what I've seen it will be great for bedroom or you can mic it at gigs. I'll have mine tomorrow so i'll get back to you then.

I would appreciate the feedback on how loud it truly is and if an attenuator would help me out without losing the overdriven quality.

I was looking at the Lil' Giant or Handsome Devil, but I think the Handsome Devil may be too much for my needs. I have only been playing for 6 months so I don't want the whole neighborhood hearing my mistakes.

Just scored a Blackheart Lil' Giant and BH112 cab from eBay for $260 and stated in *mint* condition with free shipping. I am hoping it is truly in mint condition seeing that is pretty much a $90 savings.

Just scored a Blackheart Lil' Giant and BH112 cab from eBay for $260 and stated in *mint* condition with free shipping. I am hoping it is truly in mint condition seeing that is pretty much a $90 savings.

nice buy you should try searching for the bitmo mod it gives you 3 different voicings.

IMO, the LG is too loud for bedroom playing. Its a loud amp. Loud enough to hang with a drummer. 5 watts tube and 5 watts SS are two totally different experiences. Bedroom levels are just about completely clean.

Some of the more popular mods from different sites around the net:

-Tube swap: The stock Chinese tubes have to go. Try a 12AT7. They sound a little smoother to my ears. Stick with the 12AX7 if you need a heavier gain.

-Output transformer: The first mod you should do IMO. Tightens up the lows and smooths out the highs. Chords also ring out a little clearer. The Hammond 125ESE is a great, inexpensive OT. I've also read great things about the Doberman 20 watt SE OT.

-Tone stack mod: Replaces the tone stack pots and caps with different values. Gives you a much more usable tone stack. The exact values escape me, google it, the info's out there.

IMO, the LG is too loud for bedroom playing. Its a loud amp. Loud enough to hang with a drummer. 5 watts tube and 5 watts SS are two totally different experiences. Bedroom levels are just about completely clean.

Some of the more popular mods from different sites around the net:

-Tube swap: The stock Chinese tubes have to go. Try a 12AT7. They sound a little smoother to my ears. Stick with the 12AX7 if you need a heavier gain.

-Output transformer: The first mod you should do IMO. Tightens up the lows and smooths out the highs. Chords also ring out a little clearer. The Hammond 125ESE is a great, inexpensive OT. I've also read great things about the Doberman 20 watt SE OT.

-Tone stack mod: Replaces the tone stack pots and caps with different values. Gives you a much more usable tone stack. The exact values escape me, google it, the info's out there.

I forgot to mention the Triple Bypass. I know its in the official mods, but I thought I'd give my thoughts on it. Its a nice mod that gives you some on the fly versatility, I wouldn't say it actually gives you three distinct voicings though. More like three slightly different gain settings. I think you could probably achieve the same effect by tweaking the volume and tone stack. I don't have two amps to do an A/B though. Part of the kit is a mica cap for C2, so don't do that mod if you plan on buying this.

Hmm...well, I do have a TS9 actually, so that's not a problem. I'm actually looking at an old Marshall cab from 2004 on the local Craigslist for $175 I was planning to run it through, how well would that work?